What is a Rule of Life?

A Rule of Life helps a community set intention. It guides us in our life together and frames our story. The Camp Mitchell Rule of Life was originally written in 2010 by the summer staff before that camping season. The rules encompass different aspects of our life on the mountain that we value and that ring true year after year. It helps us hold ourselves and each other accountable to the covenant we have with God and reminds us of our ultimate purpose to love one another. In the words of St Benedict, it is "simply a handbook to make the very radical demands of the gospel a practical reality in daily life."

During our summer program, we introduce our Rule of Life to the community on the opening day of camp and discuss how they resonate with our daily lives. We recite them every morning after raising the flag to set the intention for our community. While we have "summer camp rules" that restrict or deny life (be where you're supposed to be, don't waste water, no cell-phones), our Rule of Life seeks to free and empower.

The Camp Mitchell Rule of Life

We build and grow as a community through worship and camp tradition.

We pass on the essence of camp through generations to ensure a sustainable future both environmentally and spiritually.

We seek to be welcoming, open, and tolerant.

The God in me recognizes the God in you, which makes the space between us Holy, thus we do not put ourselves or one another down.

We strive to turn our imperfections into improvements.

When we honor the fingerprint of God upon creation, we become more Christlike.

We delight in rest and play, remembering that all that we are and all that we have is a gift of God.

In all our thoughts, words, and deeds, we meditate: “TO WHAT END?”

Love of God, Love of camp, Love of one another!

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